The Guardian of the Bifrost stood atop the stairs, his arms crossed, his expression stoic. His golden eyes were on Sigyn, watching her closely as she sat up against the wall with great effort. She was exhausted. The bindings at her wrists did not make it any easier, either. Once the room stopped spinning before her eyes, she slowly rose to view her surroundings, aware Heimdall followed her every move.
The Vault was a room underneath the palace, holding many of Odin's most valuable and most dangerous possessions. Sigyn had never been before, but it wasn't a room she was overly fond of at the moment. Heimdall blocked the only way in and out. There were no windows and no mirrors either. But even if there had been, where could she have gone to? She couldn't leave Loki to his fate, nor would she let Heimdall know of that other bit of magic she was capable of.

What did Odin have planned for her? Was she to be kept there forever? The last fire mage controlled by the Allfather, to be used however he saw fit? Was she to be a weapon like the Destroyer, that great steel giant that was just at the other side of the room?
Or was she to die? Sigyn would prefer it. Rather dead than a weapon. Rather dead than returned home, for her family would undoubtedly ensure she was never heard off again. Rather dead than never be in Loki's arms again.
Sigyn hoped he was well. Being the Prince might save Loki from sharing her fate. She prayed he would not attempt a rescue. Her hand reached to her bosom, needing to feel his essence, if only by a sliver. But to her great dismay, she realised her pendant was gone. 

It must still be in the Queen's garden, she thought miserably. Or perhaps Loki managed to take it before Odin did. Damn it all... 

Suddenly, the Vault's door swung open, and the Allfather came in. He spoke a few quiet words to Heimdall, and the Guardian promptly left after a brief nod. Odin lingered a moment at the top of the stairs before making his way down. Sigyn watched with bated breath and a pounding heart. 

"Don't just stand there, Sigyn. Come and sit with me," said the Allfather, not too unkindly. "I believe it is time you and I spoke without interference."

He sat on the bottom steps and waited for her to join him. Cautiously, Sigyn approached and halted at what she believed to be a safe distance. Odin had his spear with him, the one he used on her in Frigga's garden. No doubt Gungnir was the weapon that had killed the fire mages before her, and Sigyn preferred to stay away from it. But when Odin beckoned her again, she had no choice but to sit beside the man who would have been her father-in-law in a mere few months.

"I must say, I am impressed," he started. "Few people can hide their magic from me for as long as you have. Especially not the sort you seem to possess. My wife would have me believe you differ from the monsters that threatened our world in the past, as would Loki. And they are not that easily deceived, being masters of deception and mischief themselves. But you do not strike me as a woman who would wilfully lie and cheat... unless it were for self-preservation? Or to protect another, perhaps?"

Sigyn threw a side-ways glance at the Allfather, but remained silent. Her fists lay clenched in her lap, the only sign of any tension on her body. She felt Odin's one eye rove over her, watching closely for any other sign he was headed in the right direction.

"Do you love my son, Sigyn?" he asked.

"Yes," she answered.

"You did not ask which son I speak of."

"But you know which son I speak of."

She dared to glance again. Though Odin's expression betrayed nothing, Sigyn could tell he knew. He knew everything.

"Hmm, Loki." Odin hummed. "Were it any other, I would simply ask you if you loved the man, and him if he loved you, and let that be the end. But with Loki, nothing is that simple. I would not stand in the way of love... if it were real."

"It is real. Ask him if you don't believe me."

"I have. After Loki took the blame for what happened tonight."

Sigyn's head snapped to him, face stricken in utter horror. "Allfather, no! Loki did nothing, I swear it! I am the one who attacked Thor and the others. I set my magic on them, and —"

Odin's arched brow reminded Sigyn somewhat of how her own father sometimes regarded her. Perhaps it was something all fathers did at some point when questioning their children's motives. With no words at all, Odin pushed on, and Sigyn continued, "Thor attacked Loki after discovering us and... I just wanted to keep Loki safe from harm. I am sorry if I hurt anyone. It was never my intention."

"No, it never is. But as well as your intentions may be at first, you are a force of destruction, Sigyn. Your fire will eventually bring suffering and death. There will come a moment in your life when you are pushed to desire nothing else. You came close to killing my son before. Do not think I forgot about that. I blame myself for believing Astrid then, who lied to protect you, and for believing Loki, too. Had I investigated matters further, I might have saved everyone from considerable heartache. But nothing else occurred... until last night. And it will again. Maybe tomorrow, or maybe not for another hundred years. But it will happen."

"I won't let it." Sigyn straightened herself, trying to appear confident, and faced Odin's intense gaze again. " I have been learning how to control my fire."

"Many have tried the same in the past. They all failed. Why do you believe you are any different?"

"Because I have Loki."

Odin tilted his head at her. He sighed and took something from his robes. Sigyn's eyes widened upon recognising her pendant. She gripped her right wrist to keep herself from snatching it out of Odin's hand as he held it out to her. 

"I assume he gave this to you?" he inquired. "Tell me, in those first days, did you feel watched? Did you see Loki everywhere you looked? Did you sense his presence when he was nowhere around or dream of him?"

Sigyn averted, afraid to reveal anything that might endanger her or Loki further. How did Odin even know all this? She had told no one about that. The Allfather sighed wearily at her silence and said, "You wonder how I know the depths of Loki's trickery, hm? I regret to say it's not the first time he has done this. There was another girl some years ago who possessed a bit of magic Loki found... intriguing. If I recall correctly, he gifted her a bracelet, which he used to haunt the girl. He made her believe she was in love with him, and she surrendered herself to him. As soon as she gave up her magic to him, Loki undid his spell. When she realised he had merely used her and held no genuine love for her, she killed herself. And their baby."

Sigyn gasped at the revelation. She shook her head and shut her eyes at the thought of Loki tricking this girl and then abandoning her. It was not inconceivable. He'd admitted he had intended to do the same thing to her as well. But it was just that which shocked Sigyn the most.

"Loki does not know the girl is dead," Odin continued, "nor that she carried his child. He does not even remember her. If there is one thing my wife is an expert in, it is erasing memories."

Frigga... always Frigga. It seemed the Queen had a hand in everything. Because of her, Loki had almost used the same trick again, not knowing he was responsible for not one, but two deaths. Because of her, three hearts were broken now. But... it was also thanks to Frigga Sigyn had come this far. She'd finally learned what it was to love and be loved. No one could ever take that away from her again. 

"I am not that girl," Sigyn spoke steadfastly. "And Loki is not the same person. Whatever his intentions may have been at first, he deserted them. He does not want my power. This pendant is not so he can use my magic; it is so I can use his. He is my anchor. He grounds me so I do not lose control, and he fills me with a confidence and strength I never even knew I possessed. Our magic is not the only thing that is bound, Allfather. Our hearts are too. That cannot be achieved through an illusion or a trick, no matter how skilled the sorcerer may be."

Odin drew back, his brow furrowing at Sigyn's words. Clearly, this was not the reaction he had expected.

"Do with me as you will," she went on. "I, and I alone, am responsible for what occurred last night. I used my magic, knowing full well what would happen if my powers were discovered, to save the man I love. You consider me a threat to your people and your family, then kill me. If you have a way to rid me of my magic, then do so. I do not care about it. And I will understand if you no longer want me here in Asgard afterwards, but if you intend to send me back to my family, I ask for death. It would be a mercy. Yet the punishment should be my burden alone. Loki holds no blame, despite his claim of it. All your son is guilty of is saving me from myself."

Despite her angst, Sigyn mustered her courage and met Odin's gaze as he scrutinised her carefully. Then he pushed himself up by his spear and went back up the stairs. Sigyn hung her head in defeat. She'd said all she could to save Loki. It was to the Allfather to decide what to do now.

"I see it now."

Sigyn raised her eyes as the King of Asgard spoke. He had a peculiar expression, as if he had come to terms with something.

"I see now what Frigga saw," clarified Odin. "You would give your life for Loki, and Asgard, too. And you accept the responsibility for your actions. You are a Queen at heart, Sigyn."

She stared, jaw slacked and speechless. Would Odin allow her to live, after all? If not in Asgard, then perhaps one of the other words within the Nine Realms. But... she'd be away from —

"Loki mentioned he lay with you." 

Caught by surprise, Sigyn stammered a hesitant, "Y-Yes, Allfather."

"Then is there a chance you are...?"

Odin did not have to speak the words aloud for Sigyn to hear his question. She bit her lip. A lie could make the King's decision easier. But it might also complicate matters even further. 

"It's possible, Allfather," she finally answered.

Odin nodded and lowered his head, looking even more tired than he already seemed. When he turned away again, Sigyn jumped to her feet. 

"You said you asked Loki if his love for me was real."

The King threw her a glance over his shoulder. "I asked him what you were to him."

"What did he say?"

Silence. And then...

"He said you were everything."

Sigyn's breath caught. She stumbled and dropped onto the steps again. The tears she had so bravely managed to keep flowed freely now. Her fingers clutched her dress, right above her heart, desperately needing something to hold as Odin took the pendant with him. Her thoughts were on one thing only. On one person. And how she would probably never see him again.

***

"No."

Thor gave a silent groan as he watched his mother take a stand against his father. To displease Odin, when he was in such a foul mood, already seemed like a terrible mistake to make. But Frigga did not make mistakes. And she was not afraid to go against her husband.

"Frigga, we must know for certain," said Odin sharply.

She scoffed in reply. "You just want to know if you might have your grandchild's blood on your hands. I will have no part in your quest to condemn Sigyn."

The Queen crossed her arms over her chest and turned her head away. Odin huffed at his wife's stubbornness. "Do you take pleasure in this? Need I remind you, Frigga, that we are in this situation because of you? Had you been truthful with us from the start, none of this would have happened."

"Had I been truthful, you would have killed Sigyn the moment she set foot here."

"By all the dead in Valhalla! Sometimes I do wonder who is worse, you or Loki! Quite an excellent pair the two of you make! How many lives stand ruined by your deception, hm? Whatever I decide to do next, somebody stands to suffer. If I allow Sigyn to live and exile her, she will live in shame for what has happened. If others discover what she is, she will be hunted mercilessly. She will not return to her family; she as much as begged me to kill her should I even consider sending her back. But if I kill her and the child she is possibly carrying, Loki will never forgive us."

"Well then, it seems you only have one other option left."

"That will not happen." Odin put his hands on the table and glared at her. "I will not hand Loki a weapon that he can use against us!"

"Sigyn is not a weapon!" Frigga shot her husband a scathing look. "Loki would never do that to her, nor us! How dare you even think that? And why can you not believe Sigyn is different? That she will use her powers for the good of Asgard and the protection of our people?"

"She will succumb to the fire eventually, Frigga. It is in her nature to become a monster."

"And what is Lo—?"

"ENOUGH!"

Thor's booming voice was reinforced by the echo in the room. His mother and father were immediately silenced, startled by his outburst. They stared at their son, frozen in place.

"I will not allow Sigyn to be killed," he spoke with a powerful voice. "Nor will I allow her, or my brother for that matter, to live in exile. The danger to them both is too great. And if she truly is with child, there is only one thing we can do. We have all seen Sigyn has the heart of a Queen. So that is what she will become."

"Son —"

"Father, hear me, please." Odin furrowed his brown at Thor's insistence but said nothing more. With a curt nod, he allowed the Crown Prince to continue. "Bring forth the wedding. If she is married to a Prince of Asgard, Sigyn can be watched. We can intervene if we see her become a threat, yet I believe Mother is right. Sigyn's magic may be dangerous, but that does not mean she herself is. If she says she can control it, we must give her the chance to prove it. And as for the child... Only we need know the truth."

His parents exchanged a glance. Both seemed reluctant to agree to his proposal. Odin was the first to break the silence.

"Thor, please think of what you are saying. There is no future for any of you if you marry Sigyn. You are my heir, and in need of your own succession as well. Would you ask Sigyn to perform her duty as your wife, knowing she may hate you for it? Would you endure Loki's scorn and jealousy? Or would you willingly turn a blind eye when she continues to be your brother's mistress and take one yourself? Have a bastard in line for the throne?"

"I will not ask Sigyn to do anything against her will," answered Thor. "And even if the child is Loki's, it would matter nothing to the succession. Right now, Loki stands second in line. If anything were to happen to you and me, he would still be regent until the child is old enough to rule, no matter who fathered it."

"But the people —"

"Will believe it to be conceived on the wedding night and simply born early."

"Loki will never give Sigyn up, my dear," interjected Frigga. "Nor his child."

"If the choice lies between death, a life forever on the run, or a safe life here under guard, I am confident my brother will consent."

Frigga narrowed her eyes at her son. Thor understood she was trying to find the lie in his words. A hidden intent. But he wasn't like Loki. He spoke plainly, concealing nothing. Something the Allfather had already grasped, as he said, "I do not agree with this arrangement. Yet I do not wish for innocent blood to be spilt. Despite what she is, I am fond of Sigyn. And our people love her. It would be devastating for them to hear she is gone. Even if she is sent away to a safe place, I am certain someone would arrange for your brother to follow her."

Frigga smirked at her husband, but remained silent. The Allfather drew near to his son and placed a hand on his shoulder. It had been too long since Odin gave Thor such a fatherly gesture.

"If you can make both Sigyn and Loki agree to the terms we set upon them, I will allow this marriage. But I hope you will reconsider, Thor. Though no lives are lost with your plan, no lives are saved either. All you will have is heart-rending agony for being so close to what you cannot have. I wonder if maybe that is not worse."

***

Fatigue was getting to the raven-haired Prince. Loki had barely slept since his capture, fretting frantically about what Odin would do to the woman he loved. He was near despair. It was already dusk, and still he couldn't sense Sigyn's magic in his pendant. Odin had probably put the same bindings forged in Nidavellir on her as a precaution. Loki doubted they would contain her for long, though; she had, after all, melted Mjölnir.
He sat at his table, staring at the setting sun, completely ignoring Hogun and Volstagg at the door. The food before him was left untouched, as he had no appetite. His mind wandered, escaping into his memories. Sigyn appeared in each of them. The first time they met in the garden, the first rose he gave her, the first kiss when she lay sleeping, that first time when they both realised their feelings for each other, and the first time they gave themselves fully to one another. It was as if Loki's life held no meaning before he knew Sigyn. She was his life. If only he had realised it sooner.

The door creaked open. Soft murmurs reached Loki's ears. Probably just a servant or a change of guard. He kept his eyes on the horizon as the last rays of sun darkened the Realm of Asgard. How fitting the people should be plunged into darkness as it was all that reigned within their Prince's heart. 

"Brother."

Loki looked up in surprise at hearing Thor's voice. Of all the people who could have come, he had not expected his older brother. Thor stood at the open door, letting Volstagg and Hogun out before stepping aside to reveal... 

"Sigyn!"

She ran into the room as Loki jumped to his feet. He raised his chained hands over her head so he could hold his lover close, with no hindrance. A sudden surge of emotions filled Loki, at long last delivering him from the agony he had felt these past hours. 
Sigyn held his face as she kissed him deeply. Oh, how he had missed those sweet lips! Loki pressed her closer by the small of her back. He had to feel her. A memory could only do so much.
When they drew back, Loki leaned his forehead against her. Sigyn rested her hands against his chest, undoubtedly feeling how his heart nearly leapt out of sheer joy. Her emerald eyes gazed up at Loki. He still couldn't believe it. She was here. She was alive and well, and here!

"Did they hurt you?" he asked.

"No," Sigyn's answer was barely audible.

"I couldn't feel you anymore." Loki's voice broke. "I thought my father... I thought he —"

"He came to me. Asked me questions about my magic. About us. You fool, why would you take the blame on you?"

"How could I not?" He brushed his lips lightly against hers. A tear glistened on her cheek. Loki kissed it away as well and whispered, "I love you."

"Don't," implored Sigyn. "You can't. We can't. We were fools to believe we could do this, Loki."

"No, don't say that." 

"It would've been better if we had never met. None of this would have happened."

Loki drew back from her, startled by her words. Why should she say something like this?  

"Sigyn, listen to me. I would rather die tomorrow than live a hundred years without knowing you. And no matter what happens next, I will always be with you. Forever."

She broke down in tears and began to push herself away, struggling in Loki's embrace. Her strange behaviour confused Loki. He didn't understand what came over her all of a sudden. Loki lifted his arms to free her from his hold. But when he saw she meant to run, he quickly grabbed her wrist. 

"Hey, hold on! Sigyn, what's happened? What did—where is your pendant?"

Loki's eyes widened when he noticed the necklace's absence. That's why he couldn't sense her anymore. But Sigyn never took that off.  

"What did Odin say to you?" he demanded.

Thor was suddenly at their side, one hand on Loki's wrist. "Let her go."

"No! Sigyn, tell me what they did to you," Loki pressed on, determined to discover the truth. "Tell me what happened."

Thor pried Sigyn loose from Loki's hold. His hand grasped nothing but air when he tried to grab her again. His brother held him back, giving Sigyn the chance to run to Astrid and Fandrall, who had been waiting at the door to spirit her away. 

"No, Sigyn!" yelled Loki.

"Brother, calm yourself!"

"UNHAND ME! SIGYN!"

Thor's fist plunged into Loki's stomach. He gasped for breath as he doubled over and fell to one knee. Between the tears of anger and tears of pain that stung his eyes, Loki saw Thor walk back to his chamber door. But instead of exiting, Thor closed the door. 

"Is Odin too much of a coward to come to me himself?" Loki scowled at his brother, pushing himself back up. "Tell me, Thor, what does he plan to do? Was this our final farewell? Am I to hear she is gone in the morning?"

"Sigyn is staying with us."

Loki narrowed his eyes at Thor. His brother spoke unusually calmly, leaning against the closed door with his arms crossed at his chest. Generally speaking, Thor was the hothead of the family, but now, he was serenity itself. 

"I persuaded Father to bring forth the marriage."

"What?" The ground fell away underneath Loki's feet. He shook his head in disbelief. "No, Sigyn would never —"

"She has already agreed to the terms. The wedding is to take place at midday tomorrow."

Loki stumbled back against the table. So that's why she'd behaved so strangely. Thor had taken advantage of the fact that they had been kept apart and had spoken to her first, no doubt playing on her guilt. 

"You told Father you lay with Sigyn, which she confirmed," continued Thor. "This leaves us with whether she carries your child. Sigyn merely said it was possible, so Father ordered Mother to examine her, but she refused. I will not allow an innocent life to be forfeited, thus, I see no other solution but marriage."

"If you think I will let this happen, you are sorely mistaken. Mother brought Sigyn here for me! I will not let her be trapped in a loveless marriage! I will not stand by and watch you hurt her! I will not allow my child to grow up with you as its father! Even if I have to give up my titles and fight you and Odin together to take Sigyn away from this rotten place, I am not giving up the woman I love!"

Something changed then in Thor's expression. His blue eyes gleamed, and he was... smiling. Smirking, almost. He pushed himself away from the door and stepped towards Loki. A big heavy hand landed on the latter's shoulder. 

"That, brother, was all I needed to hear."

***

A wedding day should be a merry occasion. But on this day, the bride's world fell apart. The life Sigyn had led before coming to Asgard had been empty. Hollow. Miserable. Once she'd escaped the confines of her family home, she blossomed. She'd experienced joy, and what it meant to have a genuine family. What it was like to love someone unconditionally and be loved as well. Now... she was a flower, withering. A flame dying. And none, but a few, knew why. 
When Thor came to her yesterday, Sigyn thought he was going to end things himself. Never had she imagined he would propose the 'solution' to their current situation. That he would still wed her seemed incredible. She'd asked him why he even considered it after everything he had learned. Her betrothed gave her a simple answer; it was the right thing to do. 

"I'm almost done."

Sigyn looked up at Astrid's reflection in the mirror as the handmaiden braided silver beads and pearls in her red hair. They'd barely spoken to each other since Thor had allowed Sigyn to see Loki one last time. She knew Astrid was angry. At Loki for leading Sigyn away from Thor and having his way with her. At her for giving into the Trickster and not staying true to Thor. But mostly at herself, too, for not seeing it. She hadn't seen her friend was in love with another. She had seen none of it. 
Sigyn sat quietly at her dresser, staring emptily at the reflection of a young woman being transformed into a bride. Her hands lay in her lap. She held on to a single rose petal. It was the last remnant of the hundreds of flowers Loki had given her. They had all been taken away. Destroyed, most likely. It was a bitter irony her wedding dress should be in their colours. Though more ivory than snowy white, there was blue and silver embroidery in the bodice, almost identical to the veins the blooms had. 

When she was done, Astrid met Sigyn's despondent gaze in the mirror. She opened her mouth, as if to speak, then turned away without a word. A tear stung in the corner of Sigyn's eye. She hurriedly wiped it away. Tears would solve nothing. This was her own choice. In agreeing to wed Thor, she not only saved herself, but Loki too. Sigyn remembered well what he told her the night they had first lain together.

'When the magic of two mages binds, they will always find each other, even when they are worlds apart. Not even death can separate them.' 

Loki would have followed her into exile, of that Sigyn was certain. Had it only been that, she would've let him. Had there been no danger of them being hunted down, with just the prospect of a life together, she wouldn't have hesitated. But only in Asgard would they be safe from any who sought to destroy a fire mage and gain glory. Sigyn would not endanger Loki. She would never be the one responsible for his death. Never that.

"It's time," said Astrid behind her.

Sigyn slowly rose, her heart sinking as she did. She took a deep breath and followed her handmaiden out into the corridor, where Sif stood waiting. It felt odd to see her in a dress instead of her usual warrior attire, and were she in a more festive mood, Sigyn would have commented she actually looked very nice. But she couldn't have cared less at that moment.

"Thor asks you to wear this," said the shieldmaiden curtly.

She raised her hand to show a silver chain with a pendant shaped like a hammer. Sigyn nearly recoiled at the sight. She reached for the serpent pendant at her bosom, but then she remembered Odin had taken it away from her. 
Astrid took the chain from Sif and hung it around Sigyn's neck. Its weight was unbearable. She bit her lip, swallowing back her tears. Astrid nudged her on, and they followed Sif to the banquet hall. 

How Odin and Frigga had arranged it all in just one day, Sigyn would never understand. The hall was beautifully decorated with garlands and flowers. There was food and drink aplenty for the feast that would undoubtedly last for days. All the people of Asgard and ambassadors from most of the Nine Realms had gathered, dressed in their finest. None knew the exact circumstances of why the wedding was brought forward so suddenly, though there were rumours, of course. 
Everyone speculated it was because of the Trickster, since he was supposedly locked away in his chamber. He had undoubtedly tried to pull mischief as usual, and the Allfather and his family had decided not to take any risks. At least, that is what Sigyn heard murmuring about her as she walked down the aisle.  

The Allfather stood on the dais, Frigga by his side, both adorned in the finest gold. And before them... Thor. A few side locks of his hair were pulled back, revealing his bearded face. His tunic matched Sigyn's wedding gown. The top buttons of his shirt were left open, and Sigyn perceived a silver hammer pendant. Her breath choked. That he would have her linked to him in the same manner his brother had... It sickened her. 
Sigyn took her place opposite Thor but refused to look him in the eyes and kept her head low. Astrid and Sif went to stand behind her as the Warriors Three came up to stand behind Thor. From the corner of her eye, Sigyn saw her family wasn't present. They either hadn't received word yet or hadn't bothered to come. With her mother controlling everything she did in life, the latter seemed unlikely. 

"We have gathered this day to celebrate the joining of this man and woman." Odin's voice boomed through the hall so all could hear him. "We will begin with the exchange of swords."

Fandrall and Astrid, in their official roles of witnesses, stepped forward, each carrying a sword. Thor took the weapon from Fandrall and said, "The sword of my ancestors, I entrust to you, wife. To keep and hold for our son."

Sigyn cringed at the words. Her hands trembled as she took her own sword from Astrid. 

"The... The sword of my father, I entrust to you... husband. To protect and guard his daughter and the... the family she will give you."

The last words were barely audible. Sigyn exchanged her sword with Thor and passed it back to Astrid, all the while feeling Frigga's eyes on her. What was the Queen thinking? Did she believe Sigyn was a traitor to exchange one son for the other so willingly? Did she pity her? 

"The swords represent your duties to one another," said Odin. "But in marriage, there must also be unity. Let these rings be blessed with your vows."

Frigga stepped forward and offered them both a silver ring, richly decorated with runes for happiness, love and prosperity. The golden-haired Crown Prince took Sigyn's left hand and placed the ring on her finger. She did her best not to cringe again. It was only a prison chain for her. 

"You have my body, my soul, my love. I bind myself to you and will always find you, no matter where you are. For I am yours, now and far longer than forever."

Sigyn slowly raised her head. Those words... How did Thor know those exact words? She stared at his glistening blue eyes. He gave a wink, barely noticeable to anyone else. Sigyn took the second ring from Frigga to place it around Thor's finger.

"You... have my body, my soul, my love," she repeated hesitantly. "I bind myself to you and will always find you... no matter where you are. For I am yours, now... and far longer than forever."

Frigga took a white rope with silver thread and tied it around Sigyn and Thor's hands, as Odin concluded, "You are now joined into this everlasting bond. None will separate you."

Thor leaned in. Sigyn's body stiffened when his mouth touched hers. She knew this kiss. She had felt its sweetness against her lips more than once. The pendant at her bosom instantly soothed her entire being, a sensation she was all too familiar with. And as the silver hammer reverted to its original form, so did the man she'd just married.
No longer golden hair, but raven-black. No longer sapphire eyes, but icy blue. No longer the Crown Prince, but the second-born son of Asgard. No longer Thor... but Loki, smiling mischievously.

"Surprise."